Green Bay Packers optimistic blackout can be averted

Green Bay Packers: NFL rules say they if the game isn't sold out by 72 hours prior to kickoff there will be a blackout in local TV markets, including Green Bay, the Fox Cities, Milwaukee and Wausau.

By
Associated Press /
January 2, 2014

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Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs against Chicago Bears defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Dec. 29, in Chicago.

Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

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GREEN BAY, Wis.

The Green Bay Packers say the team is optimistic that Sunday's home playoff game will be sold out and a TV blackout can be averted.

NFL rules say they if the game isn't sold out by 72 hours prior to kickoff there will be a blackout in local TV markets, including Green Bay, the Fox Cities, Milwaukee and Wausau. The deadline is 3:40 p.m. Thursday with 7,500 tickets yet to be sold. The Packers could ask for a deadline extension.

With a long waiting list for season tickets, not selling out a playoff game is an unusual scenario for theGreen Bay Packers. The last time a Packers home game didn't sell out was in January 1983 when they hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in a first-round playoff game in a strike-shortened season.